Anomalies of the facial nerve: a surgeon’s nightmare

Authors

  • James Thomas Department of Otorhinolaryngology and H&N, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Girija Ghate Department of Otorhinolaryngology and H&N, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Ashutosh Kumar Department of Otorhinolaryngology and H&N, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20183453

Keywords:

Facial nerve, Anomaly, Expertise, Precaution

Abstract

Background: Most of the anomalies of the facial nerve have been encountered during otological surgery or dissection of the temporal bones. ENT surgeons are taught from a nascent stage to always be wary of an anomalous facial nerve during otological surgery. Today’s surgeon is assisted with high definition imaging and nerve monitoring; yet iatrogenic facial palsy still is encountered even today.

Methods: This study was conducted in a select population of patients who reported with aural symptoms with an aim to see the number of facial nerve anomalies one encounters during aural surgery. The filter applied was no patient with congenital anomaly was considered and patients with squamous COM were also excluded.  

Results: Almost 4.5% of the patients subjected to surgery had varying kinds of facial nerve anomaly, the most common being dehiscence of the fallopian canal.

Conclusions: Facial nerve anomalies are not so uncommon as one expects it to be. So it is mandatory that every ENT surgeon should be well versed with facial nerve anatomy and be wary of any structural anatomical abnormality, and irrespective of the experience it pays to be extra cautious when operating on the ear because in the event of damage to the facial nerve the patient has to carry the stigma of a facial deformity for his/her life.

Author Biography

James Thomas, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and H&N, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Professor and HOD

Dept of of ENT and H & N

References

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Published

2018-08-25

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Section

Original Research Articles